Freeman's Battery

Freeman's Battery, Forrest's Artillery under Captain Samuel L. Freeman, fought near here during the Battle of Parker's Crossroads on Dec. 31, 1862. General Nathan Bedford Forrest opened the battle by placing a 12 pounder bronze field howitzer under Sergeant Nat Baxter on a knoll in Hicks field four hundred yards from the enemy. Supported by three cannon, the Federals attacked so intensely that Baxter's men had to load and fire while lying down, yet they maintained rapid fire and dismounted one Federal gun while Forrest remained with the piece during the duel and frequently throughout the day. The other two Federal guns were later captured. Forrest relied chiefly on his artillery at the crossroads and exposed his soldiers only when necessary to protect the guns. The Federals were driven beyond the crossroads and were surrendering when another Union force surprised Forrest from behind his artillery. Under fire from front and rear, he withdrew in good order, leaving the three captured guns and one Confederate gun that had exploded. Two additional guns of Freeman's Battery were left after the new Federal force killed all the artillery horses. In his report of the battle, Forrest said that Captain Freeman and all of his men deserved special mention for keeping up constant fire from their pieces despite every effort to silence their guns.

Parker's Crossroads, Tennessee · United States